Think of trail control and low speed off-road cruise control, where you can adjust the speed with the cruise control buttons from a bare crawl to about 16 km/h.

In close quarters or very challenging terrain, this lets the driver concentrate on steering while the electronics keep the vehicle speed constant. This system is smooth in operation and easy to use so it makes covering rough terrain much more fun.

Hauling the gear even with a truck can be challenging, but Ford has a partnership with Yakima to supply adventure gear for the Ranger through Ford dealerships the same as other options from Ford.

In Canada, a few options will be available right away with more available at the dealership as the year progresses.

One of the first will be the BedRock Heavy Duty truck bed rack. This low-height rack system is capable of carrying bikes, skis, boats or boxes above the truck box while still maintaining storage in the truck box.

Later this year, the SkyRise medium rooftop tent (room for two) will be available which mounts on the BedRock rack system so you can camp high and dry even when the weather turns wet.

Other Yakima options include the BaseLine cab rack that fits securely on the Ranger’s roof and a GateKeeper Tailgate Pad that protects up to six bikes from the truck’s tailgate while protecting the vehicle paint at the same time. A tuck-away cover opens to let the rear view camera still function.

For the home renovator, the LongArm truck bed extender rack mounts to the Ranger’s hitch to extend the carrying length of the truck bed in three positions up to four feet in length. Carrying paddle boards, ladders, lumber and more is easily achieved with the rack’s 136-kilogram load capacity.

The list of Yakima options available in the future is extensive, including an awning, several bike racks, canoe and kayak racks, cargo boxes, load stops and tool holders. These options are in addition to the 35 dealer installed options already offered by Ford for the Ranger.

With all the features and options available for the Ranger, this truck is a destination vehicle. It can be configured to fit all your needs, with no desire to trade it for something else.

Smaller than a full-size pickup, it is easier to get in and out of and it fits in a regular garage.

Smaller makes it easier to park in the city but it still has passenger space to carry five comfortably and, for those with active lifestyles, it has the gear to make participating in adventures even more fun.